Before the Attack, Students May Demonstrate:
● Leakage - sharing plans about the shooting (threats, warnings to stay away from the school, recruitment, bragging, etc.)
● Violent School Work -demonstrated in writing, artwork, projects, etc.(reference to characteristics of self , students, delusional thoughts
● Change in behavior
Students May Experience
● Emasculating bullying - treated unfairly by peers
● Social Isolation - ignored by peers
● Rejection from girlfriend
● Negative feelings from peers
● Thwarted Ambitions/Failures
Other Common Factors
● Male
● White
● Heterosexual
● Body Issues that cause psychological distress (Biological, Threat to Masculinity, etc)
● Access to Weapons (gun-owning families)
● Family in Military and/or Military Aspirations
Possible Organization/Categories for School Shooters
● Three Categories: Psychiatric Disorders, Family Turbulence, Situational Volatility
● Three Categories: Traumatized, Psychotic, Psychopathic
● Attack Type: Random, Targeted Individuals, Targeted Groups, Mixed
● Targeted Population: Secondary School Shooters, College Shooters, Aberrant Adult Shooters
● Five State Sequential Model: Chronic Strain, Uncontrolled Strain, Acute Strain, The Planning Stage & Massacre at School
References
Bonanno, C. M., & Levenson Jr, R. L. (2014). School shooters: History, current theoretical and empirical findings, and
strategies for prevention. Sage Open, 4(1), 2158244014525425.
Farr, K. (2018). Adolescent rampage school shootings: Responses to failing masculinity performances by already-
troubled boys. Gender Issues, 35(2), 73-97. doi: 10.1007/s12147-017-9203-z
Langman, P. (2015). Patterns Among School Shooters: Family Related Issues and the Military.
Langman, P. (2010). Rampage School Shooters: A Typology. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 79-86.
Langman, P. (2012). School Shooters: The Warning Signs. Forensic Digest.
Young, N. D., Michael, C. N., & Smolinski, J. A. (2019). Sounding the Alarm in the Schoolhouse: Safety,
Security, and Student Well-being. Rowman & Littlefield.
Reporting "Red Flags"
Identifying Behaviors in the Classroom
Researchers have found varying traits among school shooters, so there is no “profile” that can be used to identify these individuals. However, the following are common warning signs or red flags that may warrant additional investigation:
Top Ten Identifying Characteristics
|
|
Characteristic |
Description |
|
1. |
Revenge-seeking |
Avenging Masculinity & Injustices Rigidity in thinking |
|
2. |
Aggrieved Entitlement |
Narcissism Bragging about plans for violence Lack of empathy and remorse for actions |
|
3. |
Embrace Violence |
Violence in writings, activities, etc. Excessive interest in violence, guns, & weapons Idolize Anti-Heroes |
|
4. |
Anger & Rage |
Poor anger management Misbehavior, fighting, threatening others, etc. Lack of conflict resolution skills |
|
5. |
Personal Troubles |
Mental Illness (psychosis, hallucinations, depression) Trauma |
|
6. |
Social Isolation |
Marginalization from others |
|
7. |
Suicidal Ideation |
Passive and active forms |
|
8. |
Hatred |
Resentment toward women Blame others |
|
9. |
Seeking Power or Helpless |
Bullying Weak |
|
10. |
Self Perceptions of Catastrophic Loss |
Overconsumed with loss |